Appearing in their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals as a non-host, and doing so as Group E’s lowest-ranked team, Equatorial Guinea arrive here having recently beaten a higher-ranked Tunisia side 1-0 in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A current five-game unbeaten run (W3, D2) will now give them hope they can extend their unbeaten record across AFCON group campaign openers (W1, D1).
With a playoff spot available for the four best-placed third-ranked teams, ‘National Thunder’ will hope for an early strike, having won the last six matches to see them score the match opener. With five of those games being decided by a single-goal margin (including four 1-0 results), the opening goal could prove critical.
Two-time AFCON champions Ivory Coast are looking to rebuild, after experiencing the heartbreak of failing to qualify for this year’s upcoming World Cup. The 'Elephants' should still stamp their authority on proceedings here though, having marched past the group stage in seven of their previous eight AFCON appearances.
The Ivorians generally start well in this competition, avoiding defeat in each of their previous 11 openers to an AFCON finals (W6, D5). Each of those wins came via a single-goal margin, while nine of those 11 produced under 2.5 goals.
Players to watch: Ibán Salvador has been Equatorial Guinea's last scorer with each of his previous four international goals, including one in the most recent H2H. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast's Wilfried Zaha has seen each of his five goals in national colours come during wins. At club level, he has scored five goals for Crystal Palace this season, each time giving them a 1-0 lead.
Hot stat: From group stage to finals, Equatorial Guinea have failed to score before half-time in nine of their last ten AFCON matches.

This nation's cup is very boring.

Ivory coast to score. Stake your 2 kidneys

Another 1-0 loading.
Meantime FT: Gambia 1 Mauritania 0

But wait o. Dem take 1-0 swear for this AFCON?
11games so far, 11goals. Average 1goal per match. Surely this must be a world record for least number of goals scored after 11 games of a major competition.

I just need an interesting game, I don't care who wins

Which game will Drogba watch ivory cost or Chelsea?

.what

I bet on Guinea just because of the high stakes lol

Do or die affair.

Another 1-0 boring match loading

WibusJaga:


Another 1-0 loading.
Meantime FT: Gambia 1 Mauritania 0

But wait o. Dem take 1-0 swear for this AFCON?
11games so far, 11goals. Average 1goal per match. Surely this must be a world record for least number of goals scored after 11 games of a major competition. Na waooh!

so boring tournament

Only cameroon played 2-1

The AFCON games have been interesting, still the best games are yet to come with Tiktok supporting these iconic sporting events with a special hub for tournaments as well as cool features and filters for the football community to enjoy.

Mod pls move to front page abeg!

Equatorial Guinea national anthem sounds like "when the roll is called up yonder"....
The Ivorian one sounds like some animal farm anthem
Kick-off and game on

That Equitorial Guinean team has a Cross River/Erik descendant in Coco-Bassey and an Oduduwa Brazilian Descendant in Edu

I hope this game will not be another 1-0 encounter.

Opening screamer and notice of intent from Cote deivoire...1-0 VAR Checking

0-1

Goal stands Ivorycoast 1- Equitorial guinea 0
This ones no come sell moi moi ...goal was scored in less than 6'

fastest goal of this year Afcon tournament

Over 2.5 sure for this one

Quantized92:
I hope this game will not be another 1-0 encounter.

That's been the AFCON 2021 signature outing up till now...yes, so let's watch and see

If not for Algeria i for smile to the bank now..

Common to win them no fit.

I expect goals in dis one bcuz dem zaha, pepe Neva enta

This our Yoruba brother Iban Edu with colored hair be like onijagban

Nice one ivory

That early goal got the Equi Guineans dizzy for a while ..They are still fighting to keep the ball even though they've had more shots on target than the Ivorians in the last 14'